NJLCA members donate $11,000 to local contractor's family

ELMWOOD PARK, N.J. – When the New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) Director of Operations, Gail Woolcott, read a recent article in a local newspaper about Justin and Jason Leider, 2- and 4-years old, and their family facing the diagnosis of Hunters Syndrome, a genetic disease which is severe, progressive, and life-limiting, she immediately knew that NJLCA members would rally behind the family, as the boys’ father, Jeff Leider is a local landscape contractor.

Within hours, Gail and NJLCA President Jody Shilan sent out a mass email to members and friends of the association asking for donations for the family to assist with medical, travel and incidental expenses arising from the boys’ diagnosis. Within two days, the association surpassed their goal of raising $5,000 for the family. By the time association leadership attended a charity dinner for the family, NJLCA members and friends had donated $11,025.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our members to band together behind one of our own local contractors,” said Woolcott.

“Just like police officers and fireman, the green industry has its own brotherhood.  We support the Lieder family and will be with them throughout this journey,” Shilan said.

On April 27, Shilan, Vice President Bob Pedatella, Chairman of the Board Michael Kukol, Woolcott, and guests attended the “Let Them Be Little Trust Fund” charity dinner in honor of the Leider family at the Venetian in Garfield, N.J., which attracted more than 900 attendees.  During the dinner, a check for $11,025 was presented to the Leider family on behalf of the members and friends of NJLCA.

Donors included AC Lawn & Landscape, AGC Irrigation Supply Corp, Al D Landscape & Tree Services, All Landscapes, American Beauty Landscape, Angels Landscape, Anthony Petruccelli, Armbruster Landscaping, Bob's Landscaping, By Design Landscapes, Canete Landscape, Chatham Landscape Contractors, Chris Hricik, Chris James Landscaping, Classic Landscaping, Cofone Landscaping, Complete Lawn Care, CompuPay, Countryside Landscaping, Dan Motherway, Dom Chiola Landscaping, Dukes Landscape Management, Evelyn Ercolano, Exclusive Properties, Exclusive Stoneworks, Fit & Trim Lawns, Four Seasons Irrigation & Landscaping, Frank Robustelli Lawn & Landscape, G & G Landscaping Construction, Gail Woolcott, Gary Bennet, Esq., GroundsKeeper, Heavy Metal Scrap, Hickory Grove Landscape, Horizon Landscape Co, Impact Irrigation Consulting, Irish Landscape Design, Jersey Power Equipment, Jody Shilan Designs, Lakeland Lawn & Landscape, Landscape Dynamix, Landscape Perceptions, Lawn & Landscape Magazine, Ledden Palimeno, Lewis Landscapes, M & R Landscaping, Magnolia Landscaping Corp, Making the Cut Property Maintenance, MCITC, Middleton & Co Insurance, Mike Annecchino, Native Fields Landscaping , NJ Deer Control, NJ Landscape Consulting Service, Northeast Bowie, NY-NJ Trailer Supply, P.A.S. Landscaping, Park Avenue Realty, Paul Keyes Associates, Perennial Lawn Services, Plant Detectives, Precision Work, Pruned Right, Rainbow Landscaping, Rivers of Revenue, Scirocco Insurance, Scott Landscape Design, Shemin Nurseries, Solarium Landscaping, Steelmack, Storr Tractor Co., Tech Terra Organics, Three Seasons Landscaping, Tode Landscape, Waterfall Landscaping, and Wood Landscapes.